The theme for World Diabetes Day this year is Family and Diabetes. Would you be able to spot the signs and symptoms of diabetes in yourself or a family member?
There are three main types of diabetes, type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes.
When you’ve got Type 1 diabetes, you can’t make any insulin at all. About 10 percent of people with diabetes in the UK have Type 1 diabetes. It’s got nothing to do with diet or lifestyle, it just happens. We’re still not sure what causes it.
If you’ve got Type 2 diabetes, it’s a bit different, the insulin you make either can’t work effectively, or you can’t produce enough of it. Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that affects pregnant women, and after giving birth it usually goes away.
Type 2 Diabetes
Almost 12 million people in the UK are at risk of getting type 2 diabetes and it is one of the leading causes of heart disease and stroke. With higher than average levels of heart disease and stroke in the Irish community it’s important that we’re aware of diabetes risks and understand how we can prevent or treat it effectively.
Causes of Type 2 Diabetes:
Type 2 diabetes has several causes: genetics and lifestyle are the most important ones. A combination of these factors can cause insulin resistance, when your body doesn’t use insulin as well as it should. Insulin resistance is the most common cause of type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can be hereditary
A lot of people don’t get any symptoms, or they don’t notice them. Some people don’t think the symptoms are important so don’t ask for help. This means that some people live with Type 2 diabetes for up to ten years before being diagnosed.
And, over a long period of time, high glucose levels in your blood can seriously damage your heart, your eyes, your feet and your kidneys.
If you, or a family member, have any of symptoms of diabetes, contact your GP. It doesn’t necessarily mean you have diabetes, but it’s worth checking – early diagnosis, treatment and good control are vital for good health and reduce the chances of developing serious complications.
80 percent of Type 2 Diabetes is preventable with lifestyle changes
A healthy diet and keeping active will help you manage your blood sugar level. It will also help you to control your weight and generally feel better. Download the Green Hearts 30–day guide from the Irish in Britain website for more tips on how to manage your health.
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